Ducks' Thompson Tallies Assist Monday

News:Nate Thompson assisted on the Ducks' only goal Monday in Vancouver.

Analysis: The point was his third in four games, a nice little run for the depth forward. However, he only has 15 points on the season, and hasn't scored a goal since mid-December, not numbers you would like to see if you consider Nate Thompson a regular fantasy contributor.

Ducks' Thompson (Lower Body) Will Return Sunday

News:Nate Thompson (lower body) took part in morning skate and is expected to take the ice for Sunday's game against the Stars, Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register reports.

Analysis:Nate Thompson has been off the ice for the past two games but is apparently well enough to regain his spot in the lineup Sunday. At just three goals and nine assists on the season, the 30-year-old is a limited option across most formats.

Ducks' Thompson Targeting Friday Return

News:Nate Thompson (lower body) could be available for Friday's game against the Kings, Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Analysis: While the demotion of William Karlsson to AHL Norfolk on Thursday would seem to suggest Nate Thompson will be ready to play Friday, coach Bruce Boudreau didn't rule out the possibility of calling up a different center as insurance. Thompson was able to get back on the ice Thursday, but didn't put in a full workout. The Ducks will see how he looks during Friday's morning skate before making a decision on his status for the game.

Ducks' Thompson To Miss Another Game Or Two

News: Coach Bruce Boudreau indicated that he expects Nate Thompson (lower body) to miss another game or two due to the injury he suffered Monday against the Red Wings, Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register reports.

Analysis: He'll be ruled out of Wednesday's game against the Senators as a result, with his next chance to play coming Friday versus the Kings. The Ducks are expected to use William Karlsson as their fourth-line center for as long as Nate Thompson is out.

Ducks' Thompson (Lower Body) Exits Early

News:Nate Thompson will not return to Monday's game against the Red Wings after suffering a lower-body injury, Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Analysis:Nate Thompson should be considered day-to-day moving forward until further news is released by Anaheim. Looking ahead, Thompson's availability for Wednesday's game against Ottawa is in question.

Ducks' Thompson Receives 2 Minors Saturday

News:Nate Thompson took 2 penalties - one for slashing and one for tripping - in Saturday's win over the Oilers.

Analysis: Despite recording four penalty-minutes in the game, it only increases his total to six in the month of February, and 35 on the season. Considering that Nate Thompson is spending most of his time on the fourth line and not getting much opportunity to score, now is certainly not the time to look at him as a fantasy option.

Ducks' Thompson Picks Up Two Helpers

News:Nate Thompson picked up two assists in Wednesday's 6-3 triumph over the Flames.

Analysis:Nate Thompson helped turn the Ducks' 2-0 lead into a runaway victory, as he and fourth-line mates Rene Bourque and Tim Jackman had a hand in the team's following two goals. Thompson nearly set up Ryan Getzlaf for another goal on another occasion, but even without the extra point, it still amounted to perhaps his most productive game as a member of the Ducks. Scoring opportunities are scarce by virtue of Thompson's placement on the team's checking line, however, so don't expect to see him notice an expanded role in light of this performance.

Ducks' Thompson Has Goals In Two Straight

News:Nate Thompson has potted goals in each of the Ducks' last two games.

Analysis: It's probably not worth reading too much into the production, as Nate Thompson remains in a bottom-six forward for the Ducks, a role that doesn't figure to change in the near future. He's accrued only seven points and has a minus-3 rating over 32 games.

Ducks' Thompson Handed 14 PIM In Loss

News:Nate Thompson was credited with 14 PIM and four hits in Sunday's loss to San Jose.

Analysis: As a fourth-liner, Nate Thompson is a depth forward who won't provide much value to fantasy owners. He does have three assist in nine games, but has never recorded more than 25 points in a season. Unless your in the deepest of leagues, Thompson's limited ice time makes him not worthy of a look.

Thompson Traded From Tampa Bay To Anaheim.

News:Nate Thompson has been traded to the Ducks in exchange for a fourth and seventh round draft pick in 2015, according to the Ducks' Official Twitter feed.

Analysis: It's a depth move for the Ducks, although Nate Thompson does have the potential to be a strong and steady fourth-line center and penalty killer in Anaheim. Trouble is, there's not much fantasy value in that .

Bolts' Thompson: Three Goals In Last Two Games

Analysis: What was in this guy's Wheaties? He snagged a goal Saturday and two more Sunday -- he's bloody well on fire! But before you get all excited, you need to remember Nate is a mucker, not a sniper. The points are sporadic ... at best.

Thompson Leads Charge In Bolts' Victory

News:Nate Thompson supplied both of the Lighting's two goals -- including the game-winner in overtime -- in Saturday's matchup with the Canadiens.

Analysis:Nate Thompson's first goal of the night may have been just as impressive as the game-winner, as it came while the Bolts were short-handed. The two goals snapped an eight-game pointless streak for the forward.

Bolts' Thompson Skates Thursday

News:Nate Thompson (illness) took part in Thursday's morning skate, Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis: Assuming Nate Thompson has his wind back after missing Tuesday's game with the illness, he'll likely be reinserted into the Bolts' lineup for Thursday. Tom Pyatt replaced him as the third-line center Tuesday.

Bolts' Thompson Out With Flu

News:Nate Thompson is suffering from the flu and will not be available for Tuesday's game vs. the Rangers, ESPN's Katie Strang reports.

Analysis: It seems likely that the symptoms developed in the afternoon, as there was no indication Nate Thompson was feeling under the weather during morning skate. Tom Pyatt takes his spot in the lineup Tuesday.

Bolts' Thompson: One Point In Last Nine Games

News:Nate Thompson's assist in Saturday's win over the Flyers was his first point in nine games.

Analysis: He had a bad day in the faceoff circle on Saturday, but that's where he's been delivering his greatest value this season. He has just three goals and six assists in 45 games, but he he has won 52 per cent of his faceoffs (281 of 543). He's a plugger, not a scorer. And that really limits his fantasy value, even in the deepest of formats.

Lightning's Thompson (Face) Out For Sunday

News:Nate Thompson (face) will sit out Sunday's game against the Sabres, Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis:Nate Thompson will sit out Sunday as a precaution after he took a slap shot to the face during Saturday's game. He suffered a cut to his face and was forced to receive stitches but was able to return to the game, so it's surprising that he is being forced to miss further game action. The Lightning have a day off Monday before playing again Tuesday, so it would be surprising if Thompson was forced to sit out that game as well. However, the team called up J.T. Wyman to fill in for Thompson for the time being. Consider Thompson day-to-day for now.

Bolts' Thompson Saved By Visor

News:Nate Thompson took a Mike Green slap shot to the face in Saturday's game against Washington. The puck shattered his visor, which cut his face, but he was able to return to the game, reports CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.

Analysis: He may become the poster child for visors after that save. Green absolutely blasted the puck and it rose quickly, hitting Nate Thompson as he tried to block the shot. He required some serious stitches after that.

Lightning's Thompson Suspended Two Games

News:Nate Thompson has been suspended for two games for an illegal head check in Friday's game against the Devils, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports.

Analysis:Nate Thompson has never been suspended or fined before and does not have a reputation as a particularly dirty player. Fantasy owners should start making other plans for this upcoming week, barring an appeal.

Career Night For Bolts' Thompson

News:Nate Thompson had the best offensive game of his NHL career on Tuesday night. He scored two goals, added an assist and finished plus-3 to carry the Bolts to victory.

Analysis: He has points in back-to-back games and was an absolute force on the ice Tuesday. Nate Thompson doesn't generally bring you a lot of fantasy value, but he's taking a lot of key face-offs to help his mates.

Bolts' Thompson Inks Tryout Deal With Hometown ECHL Squad

News:Nate Thompson has signed a professional tryout contract with the ECHL Alaska Aces, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

Analysis: The deal is currently valid only for training camp, but the checking center said, "I plan on playing here until the labor dispute is over." The Aces are not affiliated with any NHL team, but they play in Nate Thompson's hometown of Anchorage.

Active Night For Tampa's Thompson

News:Nate Thompson posted two assists in Monday's win over Washington, giving him 15 points on the season.

Analysis:Nate Thompson had missed some time with an upper body injury, but returned to action this past weekend. Odds are he will not have many one-point nights, let alone two-point nights, the remainder of the season.

Bolts' Thompson (Upper Body) May Be Out For While

News:Nate Thompson (upper body) might be out "perhaps for a while," according to Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Times.

Analysis: Coach Guy Boucher didn't seem optimistic Nate Thompson would be back soon but stopped short of any real specifics. Find someone else if you've been rolling him consistently -- there are a number of similars on most wires.

Lightning's Thompson Misses Practice Friday

Analysis:Nate Thompson's absence from practice Friday does not bode well for his chances of playing Saturday against the Blues. If you have been using him in deep leagues, monitor his status leading up to game time.

Lightning's Thompson Should Play Tuesday

News:Nate Thompson appears to be in the lineup for Tuesday's game against Toronto, as he's taking line rushes with Teddy Purcell and Tom Pyatt shortly before the opening face-off, according to Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune.

Analysis: He's been out since suffering a lower body injury back on December 17, but it looks like he'll be able to help fill out one of the team's bottom lines Tuesday.

Lightning's Thompson Out Thursday

News:Nate Thompson (lower body) will not play Thursday, Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune reports.

Analysis: Head coach Guy Boucher said Nate Thompson did not suffer a setback recently; he is just simply not ready to play yet because of his injury. Consider Thompson questionable for the Lightning's next game Saturday.

Lightning's Thompson Starts To Skate

News:Nate Thompson skated Friday for the first time since suffering a lower body injury back on December 17 according to TSN.ca.

Analysis: It is unclear whether he will be able to play Tuesday, but the fact that he has resumed skating is a positive sign. Nate Thompson has three goals and three assists through 31 games this season.

Lightning's Thompson Leaves Game With Injury

News:Nate Thompson suffered an undisclosed lower body injury on his second shift of Saturday's game and did not return according to the team's official site.

Analysis:Nate Thompson had just made it back last week from a lower body injury, so this is untimely news. The extent of the injury is not yet known, so follow reports to see if he misses any extended time. Having tallied just three goals and three assists through 31 games, his production isn't likely to be missed that much.

Lighting's Thompson Wears Non-Contact Jersey Friday

Analysis:Nate Thompson was injured Tuesday night and looks unlikely to play Saturday against Philadelphia. He has only five points (2G, 3A) in 27 games this season but he had 25 points in 79 games a year ago. If he's on your fantasy team, it would be wise to wait until he returns to action before putting him in your lineup.

Bolts' Thompson Continues Strong Play

News: Thompson scored a goal and added an assist in Tuesday's loss to the Islanders.

Analysis: The assist came on the power play. Thompson has been delivering solid fantasy output (two goals, three assists) in his last four games. Center is deep and that makes him a marginal play -- he's just not the consistent offensive type.

Bolts' Thompson Returns

News: Thompson returned to the lineup in time for Thursday's loss to the Red Wings.

Analysis: He'd been sidelined with a head injury for a week and a half, but now has jumped back into his depth-line role with Tampa. He did manage four shots, a blocked shot, two hits and three faceoff wins to one loss in 10:30, so he was active out there.

Thompson Signs Two-Year Extension With Lightning

News: Thompson agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Lightning on Monday, according to the team's official website.

Analysis: Thompson is not a key offensive performer - he has just 17 points (7G, 10A) this season - but he has won 55.8 percent of his face-offs and has done a lot of other little things to help his team reach first place in the Southeast Division.

Bolts' Thompson Stepping Up

News: Thompson is quickly becoming a coach favorite because of his faceoff ability and his skills in shutting down the opposition's top line, according to the Tampa Tribune.

Analysis: "His movement around the rink is very purposeful, very direct," said assistant coach Wayne Fleming. "He reads very well defensively. He's a hard player to play against, and he's resilient. He takes bangs and crashes and picks himself up and goes right back at it again." He bumped up to be the Bolts' third-line center while Vinny Lecavalier recovers from injury. And while he only has three goals and six assists, he's earning more and more ice time. It doesn't make him a fantasy play but it does make for a good story.

Thompson, Bergenheim back this week

News:Newsday reports that both C Nate Thompson (shoulder) and LW Sean Bergenheim (undisclosed) will be on the Islanders' upcoming three-game road trip to Colorado, Dallas and Phoenix. They will play in at least one of the games.

Analysis: Thompson, who has been out about 10 days, is not much of an offensive threat and is pretty much irrelevant in Fantasy play. Bergenheim is also a barely-usable Fantasy option when healthy. Continue to ignore them both in the majority of leagues.

Thompson carving out niche

News:The Sports Xchange reports Islanders C Nate Thompson never will be expected to carry the Islanders offensively, but the center has carved out a role for himself as a fourth-line pest and penalty-killing forward. "He's getting better every game," said Islanders coach Scott Gordon, who also coached Thompson with AHL Providence in the Bruins' organization. "You can just see his confidence growing."

Analysis: Thompson has no goals and four assists in 23 games, so he clearly is not an offensive whiz. Thompson pretty much just has Fantasy value in leagues that reward heavily for PIM and short-handed stats.

Isles able to keep Thompson

News: The Islanders re-signed forward Nate Thompson to a one-year, two-way contract Saturday. "Nate made an immediate impact last season, fitting right into our team system," Islanders GM Garth Snow said. "He is the type of player every team looks for by giving an extra effort every time he steps on the ice."

Analysis: Thompson was claimed off waivers from the Bruins last season and spent the entire year with the Islanders. He appeared in 43 games and registered four points (two goals). Thompson did miss a lot of time in 2008-09 due to injury, but when he was on the ice he primarily was used as a penalty killer and checking-line specialist. Thompson pretty much just has Fantasy value in leagues that reward heavily for PIM and short-handed stats heading into 2009-10.

Thompson comes off IR Wednesday

Analysis: Thompson has played just 28 games this season due to various ailments and hasn't been on the ice long enough to see if he could make an impact offensively. He has primarily been used as a penalty killer and checking-line specialist. Thompson is best used in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM and short-handed stats when healthy.

Thompson out 4-6 weeks

Analysis: Thompson has played just 28 games this season due to various ailments and hasn't been on the ice long enough to see if he could make an impact offensively. He has primarily been used as a penalty killer and checking-line specialist. Thompson is best used in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM and short-handed stats when healthy.

Thompson bangs up shoulder

News: Islanders C Nate Thompson left the game in the first period Thursday against the Panthers because of a shoulder injury and did not return. He didn't record a point in 2:33 of ice time and finished at even.

Analysis: Thompson has played just 28 games this season due to various ailments and hasn't been on the ice long enough to see if he could make an impact offensively. He has primarily been used as a penalty killer and checking-line specialist. Thompson is best used in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM and short-handed stats when healthy.

Thompson back from ankle injury

News: Islanders C Nate Thompson returned from an ankle injury Tuesday against the Rangers and played in his first game since Dec. 13. He didn't have a point in 10:21 of ice time and took just one shot on net.

Analysis: Thompson is just a lower-line forward for the Islanders and doesn't have much of an offensive presence. It's still safe to ignore him in Fantasy.

Thompson returns to action Thurs.

News: The flu couldn't keep Islanders C Nate Thompson out of Thursday's game against the Penguins. He probably wishes it did. The Penguins dropped the Islanders 9-2 in an ugly offensive contest. Thompson didn't record any points but picked up two minutes in the penalty box for hooking in the 1st period.

Analysis: Thompson is just a lower-line forward with the Islanders and should continue to be ignored in all formats.

Thompson scores first goal Tues.

News: Islanders C Nate Thompson scored a shorthanded goal in the 3rd period of Tuesday's win over the Rangers to give his team a 1-0 lead of which they eventually won 2-1. Thompson took just the one shot on goal and scored in 13:19 on the ice.

Analysis: For Thompson, it was his first goal or points of any kind of the entire season. He is nothing more than organizational depth and can be ignored in Fantasy since he doesn't score very consistently at all.

Islanders claim C Thompson off waivers

News: The Islanders have claimed C Nate Thompson on waivers from Boston.

Analysis: The 23-year-old Thompson played in four NHL games for the Bruins last season. He has been with the team's AHL affiliate in Providence since 2003. The Alaska native played in 216 AHL games, including 10 playoff contests. He is nothing more than organizational depth and can be ignored in Fantasy.

Schaefer part of Bruins' final cuts

News: The Boston Herald reports that the Bruins waived three players, including LW Peter Schaefer, and sent one to the AHL on Tuesday to get down to the 23-man limit. Schaefer, who carries a $2.1 million cap hit, Nate Thompson and Jeremy Reich were waived, while D Matt Hunwick was sent to Providence.

Analysis: Schaefer only scored 26 points last season, and that's not exactly the kind of performance teams would want from a guy who will cost them over $2 million. Still, you never know. Schaefer has minimal Fantasy value to begin with, and now he's been cut you can certainly continue to ignore him in most leagues. Thompson, Reich and Hunwick can also be ignored.

Thompson comes to terms with B's

News: The Bruins have signed restricted free agent forwards Martin Pierre and Nate Thompson. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Analysis: The 23-year-old Thompson played in four NHL games for the Bruins last season. He has been with the team's AHL affiliate in Providence since 2003. The Alaska native played in 216 AHL games, including 10 playoff contests. He is nothing more than organizational depth and can be ignored in Fantasy.